Noel Young killed his mum and an unborn child in head-on crash, court hears

The crash happened at the junction of Lurganagoose Road and the Glenshane Road

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Tragic details of an accident in which a driver killed his mum and an unborn baby in a near head-on crash have been disclosed.

A woman who was 19 weeks pregnant, and had just touched down in Northern Ireland, lost her child during the smash in Magherafelt, Co Derry.

Noel Young, 48 and from Carraloan Road in the town, appeared before Derry Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to causing the death of his 82-year-old mother, Vera Young.

The part-time digger driver also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, by driving without due care and attention, to Warunee Doherty and her father-in-law Bernard Doherty.

They, together with Mrs Doherty’s husband Brian, had just arrived in Northern Ireland and were on their way from Belfast International Airport to spend a family holiday together in Malin Town, Co Donegal, on August 2, 2015.

Prosecuting counsel Ciaran Murphy QC told Judge Philip Babington that as the car driven by Mr Doherty approached the junction of the Glenshane Road and Lurganagoose Road, a Mitsubishi Warrior jeep driven by the defendant came across the lane and collided almost head on with their car causing it to spin off the road and into a ditch.

The impact speed between the two vehicles was approximately 60mph and the speed of the jeep driven by the defendant was relatively low as it crossed onto the main road.

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Mr Murphy said the defendant’s mother Vera, who had dementia, sustained multiple internal injuries and died four days later in hospital.

Warunee Doherty sustained multiple fractures to her left ankle and to her spine.

Bernard Doherty, who was a rear seat passenger, sustained multiple rib fractures, a fracture of the sternum and a contusion of the right lung.

The prosecutor said although the defendant had no memory of the accident, “it appears to have been caused by gross inadvertence by him. He failed to see entirely the oncoming driver and for that there is no clear explanation. This is an absolute tragedy for all concerned”.

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Defence barrister Brian McCartney QC said it was an undeniable tragedy for which there was no explanation.

He added there were no aggravating features such as alcohol, speed nor dangerous driving.

Mr McCartney said: “There is no evidence of wilfulness. The defendant has accepted responsibility from the outset. He has expressed his remorse which is undeniable and his sense of loss extends to the Doherty family

“He has been driving for almost 29 years with absolutely no blemish on his driving record.

In the absence of any explanation it is clear he had a lapse that could only have lasted a few seconds.”